Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023
I, Stephen Jones, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, make the following information standard.
Dated 28 August 2023
Stephen Jones
Assistant Treasurer Minister for Financial Services
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Schedules
5 Definitions
6 Regulated goods
7 Exempt goods
Part 2—Basic requirements
8 Requirements during the first transitional period
9 Requirements during the second transitional period
10 Requirements after the second transitional period
Part 3—Details of requirements
11 Australian/New Zealand Standard
12 International Standard
Schedule 1—Repeals
Consumer Product Information Standard Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products (Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010) (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2010L02290)
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
This instrument is the Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
Commencement information
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Provisions Commencement Date/Details
The whole of this instrument The day after this instrument is registered. 5 September 2023
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.
(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.
Section 1 - Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 - Consumer Goods (Care Labelling) Information Standard 2023 | Zoe
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 134(1) of the Australian Consumer Law.
Note: The reference to the Australian Consumer Law is a reference to Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 as it applies as a law of the Commonwealth, States and Territories: see section 140K of that Act and corresponding provisions of Acts of States and Territories applying that Schedule.
4 Schedules
Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.
5 Definitions
In this instrument:
Australian/New Zealand Standard means the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1957:1998 Textiles—Care labelling, published jointly by, or on behalf of, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, as in force or existing at the time when this instrument commences.
Note: This standard could in 2023 be purchased from SAI Global’s website (https://www.saiglobal.com) or Techstreet’s website (https://www.techstreet.com). The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission can make a copy of the standard available for viewing at one of its offices, subject to licensing conditions.
first transitional period means the period of 6 months beginning on the day this instrument commences.
International Standard means the International Standard ISO 3758:2012 Textiles—Care labelling code using symbols, published by the International Organization for Standardization, as in force or existing at the time when this instrument commences.
Note: This standard could in 2023 be purchased from the International Organization for Standardization’s website (https://www.iso.org) or Techstreet’s website (https://www.techstreet.com). The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission can make a copy of the standard available for viewing at one of its offices, subject to licensing conditions.
regulated goods has the meaning given by section 6.
Note: These are the goods for which the requirements referred to in Part 2 apply.
second transitional period means the period of 12 months beginning on the day after the first transitional period ends.
6 Regulated goods
(1) Regulated goods are any clothing, household textiles, apparel (including articles such as wedding dresses, christening gowns, and promotional, sample and flawed articles), furnishings, upholstered furniture, bedding (including sleeping bags), mattresses, bed bases, piece goods and yarns made from textiles, plastics, plastic coated fabrics, suede, skins, hides, grain leathers and/or furs.
(2) However, goods are not regulated goods if they are covered by one or more of the subsections in section 7.
7 Exempt goods
Second hand goods
(1) All second hand goods.
Men’s, Women’s, Children’s and Infants’ Wear
(2) All unsupported coats (including overcoats, jackets and the like) of PVC film, handkerchiefs, braces, garter suspenders, arm bands, belts, headwear.
Footwear
(3) All footwear other than all types of hosiery and textile materials used in the manufacture of footwear.
(5) All ornaments, artificial flowers, sewing and embroidery threads and all other small items of haberdashery used in the making of clothing and textile products where instructions are not needed to ensure that the clothing or textile product is not damaged during cleaning and maintenance.
Furnishings
(6) All oil baize, window blinds, shade blinds, sun blinds, awnings, floor coverings, light fittings, lampshades, tapestries, wall hangings, ornaments, handicraft items, draught excluders, non‑upholstered furniture, cushions and cushion covers manufactured from remnants and labelled by the manufacturer with the following disclaimer “cushion cover manufactured from remnant/s, care treatment unknown”.
Jute Products
(7) All jute products.
Medical and Surgical Goods
(8) All goods intended for medical and surgical use as bandages, dressings, sanitary pads or materials forming part of manufactured medical and surgical goods.
Canvas Goods
(9) All beach and garden umbrella coverings.
Miscellaneous Goods
(10) All cords, twines, lashings, garden hose, toys, umbrellas and parasols, shoelaces, woven labels, flex coverings, sporting and gardening gloves, articles designed to be disposed of after one use (except where specifically included) or intended for one use only (including disposable plastic rain ponchos and interment garments for the deceased), mops, basket hangers, shoe holders, remnants, industrial gloves, polypropylene webbing furniture, all bags and cases (including handbags, purses, wallets, travel bags, school bags, sports bags, briefcases and wash bags).
Part 2—Basic requirements
8 Requirements during the first transitional period
(1) During the first transitional period, regulated goods must comply with:
(a) the requirements in section 11 (the Australian/New Zealand Standard); or
(b) the Consumer Product Information Standard Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products (Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010), as in force immediately before the commencement of this section.
Note: The Consumer Product Information Standard Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products (Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010) could in 2023 be viewed on the Federal Register of Legislation website (https://www.legislation.gov.au).
(2) This section is repealed at the end of the last day of the first transitional period.
9 Requirements during the second transitional period
(1) During the second transitional period, regulated goods must comply with:
(a) the requirements in section 11 (the Australian/New Zealand Standard); or
(b) the Consumer Product Information Standard Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products (Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010), as in force immediately before the commencement of this section; or
(c) the requirements in section 12 (the International Standard).
Note: The Consumer Product Information Standard Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products (Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010) could in 2023 be viewed on the Federal Register of Legislation website (https://www.legislation.gov.au).
(2) This section is repealed at the end of the last day of the second transitional period.
10 Requirements after the second transitional period
After the second transitional period, regulated goods must comply with:
(a) the requirements in section 11 (the Australian/New Zealand Standard); or
(b) the requirements in section 12 (the International Standard).
Part 3—Details of requirements
11 Australian/New Zealand Standard
(1) Regulated goods comply with the requirements in this section if the regulated goods comply with the Clauses of the Australian/New Zealand Standard as varied by the following subsections.
(2) Omit Clauses 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.
(3) Omit Clause 2.1.1(a), substitute:
(a) Appropriate and adequate care instructions take into account all elements of an article including dyes, finishes, fibres, construction, design, zips, buttons, fasteners, padding, lace, beading, trims, decals, linings, interfacings and embroidery which form an integral part of an article and include cleaning instructions and where necessary maintenance instructions that when followed do not cause damage to the article. Maintenance instructions are generally necessary for articles which require a cleaning process other than laundering or drycleaning.
(4) After the first sentence of Clause 2.1.1(d), add:
For example, a care procedure may be a dry cleaning method not specified in Table 1 which may include using hydrocarbon, liquid silicone, ozone or liquid carbon dioxide.
(5) In Clause 2.1.2(a), omit “on the same side of the label”.
(6) Omit Clause 2.1.3, substitute:
2.1.3 Care instructions for articles unable to be washed or drycleaned: Where an article is unable to be washed or drycleaned, the permanent label shall include appropriate instructions in words:
(a) which warn that the article is unable to be washed or drycleaned; and
(b) which adequately describe the care treatment.
(7) Omit Clause 2.2(a).
(8) Omit Clause 2.2(b).
(9) Omit Clause 2.2(c), substitute:
(c) The wording of the label shall be in English and be clearly legible.
(10) Omit NOTE 1 to Clause 2.2.
(11) Omit NOTE 2 to Clause 2.2.
(12) At the end of NOTE 5 after clause 2.2, add:
This includes individual pieces of household textile products sold as sets, e.g. napkin and tablecloth sets.
(13) After Clause 2.3, add:
2.4 Where in this standard there is a requirement for care instructions from categories in Tables 1, 2 or 3 to be provided on or with articles, words that have a similar meaning to the care instructions listed in Tables 1, 2 or 3 may be used, e.g.:
“DO NOT SOAK IN PRODUCTS CONTAINING ENZYMES” could be reworded as “DO NOT SOAK IN PRODUCTS WITH ENZYMES” or “DO NOT SOAK IN ENZYME PRODUCTS” or other words to similar effect.
“DO NOT SOAK IN PRODUCTS CONTAINING OXYGEN‑BASED BLEACHES” could be reworded as “DO NOT SOAK IN OXYGEN‑BASED BLEACHES”.
“GARMENT SIZED TO ALLOW FOR SHRINKAGE WASH BEFORE WEARING” could be reworded as “DESIGNED TO SHRINK, WASH BEFORE WEARING” or other words to similar effect.
“DO NOT USE SOAP‑WASH IN SYNTHETIC DETERGENT” could be reworded as “WASH IN SYNTHETIC DETERGENT ONLY” or other words to similar effect.
2.5 Made‑up goods of a kind specified below are exempt from the requirement that a permanent label shall be attached to the goods. However where a permanent label is not provided for such goods, care instructions shall be provided on a removable ticket or label attached to the goods, on a pamphlet accompanying the goods or as printed instructions on the wrapper or packaging.
Made‑up goods for which care instructions may be provided in a form other than by a permanent label:
Adult’s, children’s and infants’ wear: Collars, neckwear, bow ties, gloves, mittens, all types of hosiery, incontinence garments, reversible garments, fur garments, bibs, washable nappies, squares of flannelette, terry towelling or muslin, baby pilchers.
Drapery: Face washers, serviettes, doilies, table cloths, tray cloths, centres, runners, duchess sets, mosquito netting and covers made from mosquito netting, butter muslin and gauze, tea towels, place mats, pot holders, finger tips, appliance covers for teapots, toasters or the like, hot water bottle covers.
Haberdashery: Elastic, elastic threads, ribbons, zips, iron‑on binding patches or trim, velcro type fasteners, curtain making kits and all other small items of haberdashery used in the making of clothing and textile products where instructions are needed to ensure that the clothing or textile product is not damaged during cleaning and maintenance.
Furnishings: Cushions that are an integral part of a furniture suite, shower curtains.
(14) In the first sentence of Clause 3.4, omit “each of”.
(15) In the first sentence of Clause 3.5, omit “each of”.
(16) In the second sentence of Clause 3.6, omit “each category”, substitute “the categories”.
(17) Omit the third sentence of Clause 3.6.
(18) At the end of Clause 3.6, add:
The symbol denoting ‘do not dry clean’, that is the circle with the cross through it, is optional.
12 International Standard
Regulated goods comply with the requirements in this section if the regulated goods comply with Clause 4 of the International Standard.
Note: For the International Standard, examples of additional wording that can accompany symbols are included in Annex C of that standard.
Schedule 1—Repeals
Consumer Product Information Standard Care Labelling for Clothing and Textile Products (Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2010) (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2010L02290)